Rome, Nov 05: Lazio and Chelsea prepare for crucial Champions League clash. The squads of SS Lazio and Chelsea held their last training sessions in Rome on Monday (October 4) ahead of their return Champions League game. Speaking at separate news conferences, their coaches, both of whom are Italian, showed respect for the adversary but said their teams are playing to win. In the last round of matches two weeks ago Chelsea came from behind to beat Lazio 2-1 at Stamford Bridge - a result that lifted the London club to the top of group G on six points, two ahead of Lazio and Sparta Prague with Turkish side Besiktas fourth on three. For both teams a draw on Tuesdays game could be enough to ensure they go forward to the next stage but Lazio coach Roberto Mancini said that his side will play to win. "We are not going onto the pitch thinking to draw the match." Mancini said, speaking to the press at SS Lazios training ground in the outskirts of Rome on Monday (November 3). "Obviously, we play to win because we want to win even if we know that it is going to be a tough match", Mancini added.


Asked about Juan Sebastian Veron, a former Lazio midfielder recently bought by Chelsea, Mancini said, "I think he is one of the best players in the world. I don't know if he will play. But I know that Chelsea, as far as midfielders and forwards, has a great variety of very good players. So it will be tough for us."


Speaking at a separate news conference on Monday, Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri showed great admiration for Lazio and for Mancini.


"Mancini gave good football to Lazio. Lazio play very well, it is a good team, playing good football. The main threat is that they will start very, very strongly but we are going to play. I'm sure it will be an interesting match."


Ranieri grew up in the Italian capital and played for Lazio's city rivals AS Roma when he was young.


"The main threat is that they will start very, very strongly but we are going to play. Im sure it will be an interesting match", Ranieri added.


Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who also attended the news conference, said he believes that his clubs succession of big signings during the close season has made it a prime target for other teams in Europe.


Chelseas new owner, Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, spent over 100 million pounds sterling buying players like Hernan Crespo, Veron and Adrian Mutu.


Abramovich, who attended Chelseas training session on Monday, bought the team last summer.


Bureau Report